SETTLING SUNDAY ISLAND

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22112, 7 June 1937, Page 10

SETTLING SUNDAY ISLAND

KERMADEC DEVELOPMENT SYNDICATE DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH AUCKLAND UNLIKELY (PRESS ASSOCIATIOM TELEGRAM.) WELLINGTON. June 5. The proposed settlement of Sunday Island, in the Kermadec group, and the is*ue of titles for blocks of land, were the subject of a statement to-day by the Minister for Lands (the Hon. F. Langstone>. . "It has come to my knowledge, saia the Minister, "that a syndicate is being formed in Auckland, known as the Kermadec Development Syndicate According to a circular issued, the sjnd.cate is offerm2 shares at £4O. Each share entitles the owner to four acres of land in his own right, and it is anticipated that it will take from three to six months for members to get ready and to get the syndicate in working order. It is proposed to allow members £2O on joining up. and the Balance at the rate of £2 a month. In the event of the full number of members having been obtained, it is ant.cipated that there will be sufficient funds available to pay for the charter of a vessel, so providing free transport for the members. The managing committee on behalf of the Kermadec Development Syndicate will give a certificate of title to each section of land and issue a membership card. ... "As Minister for Lands. I wish to discourage any person from investing in"this enterprise. Sunday Island comprises 7200 acres, of which 275 acres are freehold. I do not know how the sydnicate proposes to give separate titles for the subdivision of the freehold, but presumably it will arrange for any necessary survey, and the registration of subdivisional plans, etc. There is no harbour or access to the island other than by small boats, and even they have great difficulty in landing passengers and goods on the beach. There is very little chance of direct communication being established between Auckland and Sunday Island, and it will be seen, therefore, that there would be no opportunity of marketing any produce which might be grown there. The Government had sufficient problems to face in providing access to New Zealand settlers situated a relatively short distance from railways and harbours; Sunday Island is 600 miles from Auckland, and it would be unfair to allow prospective settlers to think that communication would be made on their behalf by the Government. In the event of any sickness or outbreak of an epidemic disease on the island, the Government would •be forced to find ways and means of transporting those affected. This would be most unfair to the general taxpayers of New Zealand, who should not be expected to meet situations of this sort, simply because some people want to plant themselves or others in such j an outlandish place as Sunday Island. I trust that those who propose investing money in this venture will give auII consideration to the facts and disabilities I have referred to."